In Shelby County, there’s something wriggling in the water and for once, that’s a good thing.
This summer, the Shelby County Health Department is giving away fish. Not for frying or stocking a pond for Sunday fishing, but for a quieter, more purposeful mission: mosquito control. These aren’t just any fish.
These are Gambusia affinis, better known by their tough little nickname mosquitofish. And they’ve got one job: eat.
“They’re environmentally friendly little helpers,” said Kasia Smith-Alexander, deputy director of the county’s Vector Control Division. “Drop them in a pool, a birdbath, or even an old fountain and they’ll do the rest.”
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Nature’s pest patrol
Each tiny mosquitofish, barely longer than your pinky finger, can devour up to 100 mosquito larvae a day. No buzzing. No chemicals. Just steady, aquatic munching.
The health department is leaning on these live-in larvae hunters as part of its Mosquito Mitigation Plan, an effort to keep mosquito populations in check and prevent the spread of West Nile Virus, which still poses seasonal threats across the region. Last year alone, five cases were reported by the end of summer in Shelby County.
These fish are especially handy in stagnant water the overlooked puddles of suburban life: neglected fountains, forgotten birdbaths, and backyard pools that haven’t seen a swim since last summer.
“Sometimes people get older, or they move, and those backyard features stop being maintained,” Smith-Alexander said. “That’s where mosquitoes thrive. We tell folks: swing by, pick up some fish, and drop them in. No upkeep, no problem.”
A two-pronged approach
While mosquitofish are the stars of this summer’s giveaway, they’re not acting alone. Shelby County’s Vector Control Department also conducts year-round spraying in key neighborhoods. But the fish offer a more passive, sustainable line of defense especially for private property where spraying doesn’t reach.
This strategy has gained traction in communities nationwide, not just for its effectiveness, but for its simplicity. When balanced properly, mosquitofish pose little threat to native aquatic life in closed systems like pools, rain barrels, or ornamental ponds. They’re hardy, low-maintenance, and, in the right context, devastatingly effective.
Where to get yours
Residents interested in grabbing a few of these bite-sized bug busters can contact or visit the Shelby County Health Department directly. They’re free, and there’s no paperwork, just bring a container and a commitment to keeping your water features mosquito-free.
So no, you won’t be grilling these fish. But you will be giving them a job. And in the world of public health, that might just be the catch of the season.
